Vsevolod Chaplin, former deputy head of the Russian Orthodox Church’s public relations department, wrote an article for «Nezavisimaya Gazeta» in which he supported the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Chaplin’s wording leaves no doubt that, in his opinion, only Jews are capable of ensuring peace in the city, while Muslims are not:
«Jerusalem remains a city of peace (שָׁלוֹם). Because Israel exists there. And it is frightening to imagine what would happen in the «city of three religions» if there were no Israel. There are examples nearby, like Baghdad, Algiers, Tripoli…»
According to Chaplin, the «pink pacifist myths based on the idea of ‘goodness'» and the «main mantra that ‘no conflicts can be resolved by force'» are outdated. «They can. Israel has achieved a military victory and has the right to enjoy its fruits,» he declares.
In short, there is no point in summarizing Chaplin’s entire article — those interested can read it for themselves, as it is short. In this connection, it is worth noting that even those illusory reasons for an alliance with the «Orthodox Russian world» on which naive Muslims had pinned their hopes are quickly disappearing. After all, by turning a blind eye to the oppression of Muslims in this very world, they at least deceived themselves or others into believing that it was an ally in the struggle against Zionism, especially in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
We can thank Mr. Chaplin, who like a drunkard says what a sober man thinks, for bringing clarity to this issue in the Russian Orthodox Church.